Itwashishabit，asthereaderwillremember，toalwayshavesomemoneyabouthim。Themournfullifeofexpedientstowhichhehadbeencondemnedimposedthisasalawuponhim。Onthisoccasion，however，hehadbeencaughtunprepared。WhendonninghisuniformofaNationalGuardsmanontheprecedingevening，hehadforgotten，dolefullyabsorbedashewas，totakehispocket—book。Hehadonlysomesmallchangeinhisfob。Heturnedouthispocket，allsoakedwithooze，andspreadoutonthebanquetteofthevaultonelouisd’or，twofive—francpieces，andfiveorsixlargesous。
Thenardierthrustouthislowerlipwithasignificanttwistoftheneck。
\"Youknockedhimovercheap，\"saidhe。
HesettofeelingthepocketsofJeanValjeanandMarius，withthegreatestfamiliarity。JeanValjean，whowaschieflyconcernedinkeepinghisbacktothelight，lethimhavehisway。
WhilehandlingMarius’coat，Thenardier，withtheskillofapickpocket，andwithoutbeingnoticedbyJeanValjean，toreoffastripwhichheconcealedunderhisblouse，probablythinkingthatthismorselofstuffmightserve，lateron，toidentifytheassassinatedmanandtheassassin。However，hefoundnomorethanthethirtyfrancs。
\"That’strue，\"saidhe，\"bothofyoutogetherhavenomorethanthat。\"
And，forgettinghismotto:\"halfshares，\"hetookall。
Hehesitatedalittleoverthelargesous。Afterduereflection，hetookthemalso，muttering:
\"Nevermind！Youcutfolks’throatstoocheapaltogether。\"
Thatdone，heoncemoredrewthebigkeyfromunderhisblouse。
\"Now，myfriend，youmustleave。It’slikethefairhere，youpaywhenyougoout。Youhavepaid，nowclearout。\"
Andhebegantolaugh。
Hadhe，inlendingtothisstrangertheaidofhiskey，andinmakingsomeothermanthanhimselfemergefromthatportal，thepureanddisinterestedintentionofrescuinganassassin？
Wemaybepermittedtodoubtthis。
ThenardierhelpedJeanValjeantoreplaceMariusonhisshoulders，thenhebetookhimselftothegratingontiptoe，andbarefooted，makingJeanValjeanasigntofollowhim，lookedout，laidhisfingeronhismouth，andremainedforseveralseconds，asthoughinsuspense；
hisinspectionfinished，heplacedthekeyinthelock。Theboltslippedbackandthegateswungopen。Itneithergratednorsqueaked。
Itmovedverysoftly。
Itwasobviousthatthisgateandthosehinges，carefullyoiled，wereinthehabitofopeningmorefrequentlythanwassupposed。
Thissoftnesswassuspicious；ithintedatfurtivegoingsandcomings，silententrancesandexitsofnocturnalmen，andthewolf—liketreadofcrime。
Thesewerwasevidentlyanaccompliceofsomemysteriousband。
Thistaciturngratingwasareceiverofstolengoods。
Thenardieropenedthegatealittleway，allowingjustsufficientspaceforJeanValjeantopassout，closedthegratingagain，gavethekeyadoubleturninthelockandplungedbackintothedarkness，withoutmakinganymorenoisethanabreath。
Heseemedtowalkwiththevelvetpawsofatiger。
Amomentlater，thathideousprovidencehadretreatedintotheinvisibility。
JeanValjeanfoundhimselfintheopenair。
CHAPTERIX
MARIUSPRODUCESONSOMEONEWHOISAJUDGEOFTHEMATTER，THEEFFECT
OFBEINGDEAD
HeallowedMariustoslidedownupontheshore。
Theywereintheopenair！
Themiasmas，darkness，horrorlaybehindhim。Thepure，healthful，living，joyousairthatwaseasytobreatheinundatedhim。
Everywherearoundhimreignedsilence，butthatcharmingsilencewhenthesunhassetinanuncloudedazuresky。Twilighthaddescended；
nightwasdrawingon，thegreatdeliverer，thefriendofallthosewhoneedamantleofdarknessthattheymayescapefromananguish。
Theskypresenteditselfinalldirectionslikeanenormouscalm。
Theriverflowedtohisfeetwiththesoundofakiss。TheaerialdialogueofthenestsbiddingeachothergoodnightintheelmsoftheChamps—Elyseeswasaudible。Afewstars，daintilypiercingthepaleblueofthezenith，andvisibletoreveryalone，formedimperceptiblelittlesplendorsamidtheimmensity。EveningwasunfoldingovertheheadofJeanValjeanallthesweetnessoftheinfinite。
Itwasthatexquisiteandundecidedhourwhichsaysneitheryesnorno。
Nightwasalreadysufficientlyadvancedtorenderitpossibletoloseoneselfatalittledistanceandyettherewassufficientdaylighttopermitofrecognitionatclosequarters。
Forseveralseconds，JeanValjeanwasirresistiblyovercomebythataugustandcaressingserenity；suchmomentsofobliviondocometomen；sufferingrefrainsfromharassingtheunhappywretch；
everythingiseclipsedinthethoughts；peacebroodsoverthedreamerlikenight；and，beneaththetwilightwhichbeamsandinimitationoftheskywhichisilluminated，thesoulbecomesstuddedwithstars。
JeanValjeancouldnotrefrainfromcontemplatingthatvast，clearshadowwhichrestedoverhim；thoughtfullyhebathedintheseaofecstasyandprayerinthemajesticsilenceoftheeternalheavens。
ThenhebentdownswiftlytoMarius，asthoughthesentimentofdutyhadreturnedtohim，and，dippingupwaterinthehollowofhishand，hegentlysprinkledafewdropsonthelatter’sface。
Marius’eyelidsdidnotopen；buthishalf—openmouthstillbreathed。
JeanValjeanwasonthepointofdippinghishandintheriveroncemore，when，allatonce，heexperiencedanindescribableembarrassment，suchasapersonfeelswhenthereissomeonebehindhimwhomhedoesnotsee。
Wehavealreadyalludedtothisimpression，withwhicheveryoneisfamiliar。
Heturnedround。
Someonewas，infact，behindhim，astherehadbeenashortwhilebefore。
Amanofloftystature，envelopedinalongcoat，withfoldedarms，andbearinginhisrightfistabludgeonofwhichtheleadenheadwasvisible，stoodafewpacesintherearofthespotwhereJeanValjeanwascrouchingoverMarius。
Withtheaidofthedarkness，itseemedasortofapparition。
Anordinarymanwouldhavebeenalarmedbecauseofthetwilight，athoughtfulmanonaccountofthebludgeon。JeanValjeanrecognizedJavert。
Thereaderhasdivined，nodoubt，thatThenardier’spursuerwasnootherthanJavert。Javert，afterhisunlooked—forescapefromthebarricade，hadbetakenhimselftotheprefectureofpolice，hadrenderedaverbalaccounttothePrefectinpersoninabriefaudience，hadthenimmediatelygoneondutyagain，whichimplied——
thenote，thereaderwillrecollect，whichhadbeencapturedonhisperson——acertainsurveillanceoftheshoreontherightbankoftheSeineneartheChamps—Elysees，whichhad，forsometimepast，arousedtheattentionofthepolice。TherehehadcaughtsightofThenardierandhadfollowedhim。Thereaderknowstherest。
Thusitwillbeeasilyunderstoodthatthatgrating，soobliginglyopenedtoJeanValjean，wasabitofclevernessonThenardier’spart。
ThenardierintuitivelyfeltthatJavertwasstillthere；
themanspieduponhasascentwhichneverdeceiveshim；itwasnecessarytoflingabonetothatsleuth—hound。Anassassin，whatagodsend！Suchanopportunitymustneverbeallowedtoslip。Thenardier，byputtingJeanValjeanoutsideinhisstead，providedapreyforthepolice，forcedthemtorelinquishhisscent，madethemforgethiminabiggeradventure，repaidJavertforhiswaiting，whichalwaysflattersaspy，earnedthirtyfrancs，andcountedwithcertainty，sofarashehimselfwasconcerned，onescapingwiththeaidofthisdiversion。
JeanValjeanhadfallenfromonedangeruponanother。
Thesetwoencounters，thisfallingoneaftertheother，fromThenardieruponJavert，wasarudeshock。
JavertdidnotrecognizeJeanValjean，who，aswehavestated，nolongerlookedlikehimself。Hedidnotunfoldhisarms，hemadesureofhisbludgeoninhisfist，byanimperceptiblemovement，andsaidinacurt，calmvoice:
\"Whoareyou？\"
\"I。\"
\"Whois`I’？\"
\"JeanValjean。\"
Javertthrusthisbludgeonbetweenhisteeth，benthisknees，inclinedhisbody，laidhistwopowerfulhandsontheshouldersofJeanValjean，whichwereclampedwithinthemasinacoupleofvices，scrutinizedhim，andrecognizedhim。Theirfacesalmosttouched。
Javert’slookwasterrible。
JeanValjeanremainedinertbeneathJavert’sgrasp，likealionsubmittingtotheclawsofalynx。
\"InspectorJavert，\"saidhe，\"youhavemeinyourpower。Moreover，Ihaveregardedmyselfasyourprisonereversincethismorning。
Ididnotgiveyoumyaddresswithanyintentionofescapingfromyou。
Takeme。Onlygrantmeonefavor。\"
Javertdidnotappeartohearhim。HekepthiseyesrivetedonJeanValjean。Hischinbeingcontracted，thrusthislipsupwardstowardshisnose，asignofsavagerevery。AtlengthhereleasedJeanValjean，straightenedhimselfstifflyupwithoutbending，graspedhisbludgeonagainfirmly，and，asthoughinadream，hemurmuredratherthanutteredthisquestion:
\"Whatareyoudoinghere？Andwhoisthisman？\"
HestillabstainedfromaddressingJeanValjeanasthou。
JeanValjeanreplied，andthesoundofhisvoiceappearedtorouseJavert:
\"ItiswithregardtohimthatIdesiretospeaktoyou。
Disposeofmeasyouseefit；butfirsthelpmetocarryhimhome。
ThatisallthatIaskofyou。\"
Javert’sfacecontractedaswasalwaysthecasewhenanyoneseemedtothinkhimcapableofmakingaconcession。Nevertheless，hedidnotsay\"no。\"
Againhebentover，drewfromhispocketahandkerchiefwhichhemoistenedinthewaterandwithwhichhethenwipedMarius’
blood—stainedbrow。
\"Thismanwasatthebarricade，\"saidheinalowvoiceandasthoughspeakingtohimself。\"HeistheonetheycalledMarius。\"
Aspyofthefirstquality，whohadobservedeverything，listenedtoeverything，andtakenineverything，evenwhenhethoughtthathewastodie；whohadplayedthespyeveninhisagony，andwho，withhiselbowsleaningonthefirststepofthesepulchre，hadtakennotes。
HeseizedMarius’handandfelthispulse。
\"Heiswounded，\"saidJeanValjean。
\"Heisadeadman，\"saidJavert。
JeanValjeanreplied:
\"No。Notyet。\"
\"Soyouhavebroughthimthitherfromthebarricade？\"remarkedJavert。
Hispreoccupationmustindeedhavebeenveryprofoundforhimnottoinsistonthisalarmingrescuethroughthesewer，andforhimnottoevennoticeJeanValjean’ssilenceafterhisquestion。
JeanValjean，onhisside，seemedtohavebutonethought。
Heresumed:
\"HelivesintheMarais，RuedesFilles—du—Calvaire，withhisgrandfather。Idonotrecollecthisname。\"
JeanValjeanfumbledinMarius’coat，pulledouthispocket—book，openeditatthepagewhichMariushadpencilled，andhelditouttoJavert。
Therewasstillsufficientlighttoadmitofreading。Besidesthis，Javertpossessedinhiseyethefelinephosphorescenceofnightbirds。
HedecipheredthefewlineswrittenbyMarius，andmuttered:
\"Gillenormand，RuedesFilles—duCalvaire，No。6。\"
Thenheexclaimed:\"Coachman！\"
Thereaderwillrememberthatthehackney—coachwaswaitingincaseofneed。
JavertkeptMarius’pocket—book。
Amomentlater，thecarriage，whichhaddescendedbytheinclinedplaneofthewatering—place，wasontheshore。Mariuswaslaiduponthebackseat，andJavertseatedhimselfonthefrontseatbesideJeanValjean。
Thedoorslammed，andthecarriagedroverapidlyaway，ascendingthequaysinthedirectionoftheBastille。
Theyquittedthequaysandenteredthestreets。Thecoachman，ablackformonhisbox，whippeduphisthinhorses。Aglacialsilencereignedinthecarriage。Marius，motionless，withhisbodyrestinginthecorner，andhisheaddroopingonhisbreast，hisarmshanging，hislegsstiff，seemedtobeawaitingonlyacoffin；
JeanValjeanseemedmadeofshadow，andJavertofstone，andinthatvehiclefullofnight，whoseinterior，everytimethatitpassedinfrontofastreetlantern，appearedtobeturnedlividlywan，asbyanintermittentflashoflightning，chancehadunitedandseemedtobebringingfacetofacethethreeformsoftragicimmobility，thecorpse，thespectre，andthestatue。
CHAPTERX
RETURNOFTHESONWHOWASPRODIGALOFHISLIFE
Ateveryjoltoverthepavement，adropofbloodtrickledfromMarius’hair。
NighthadfullyclosedinwhenthecarriagearrivedatNo。6，RuedesFilles—du—Calvaire。
Javertwasthefirsttoalight；hemadesurewithoneglanceofthenumberonthecarriagegate，and，raisingtheheavyknockerofbeateniron，embellishedintheoldstyle，withamalegoatandasatyrconfrontingeachother，hegaveaviolentpeal。
ThegateopenedalittlewayandJavertgaveitapush。Theporterhalfmadehisappearanceyawning，vaguelyawake，andwithacandleinhishand。
Everyoneinthehousewasasleep。PeoplegotobedbetimesintheMarais，especiallyondayswhenthereisarevolt。Thisgood，oldquarter，terrifiedattheRevolution，takesrefugeinslumber，aschildren，whentheyheartheBugaboocoming，hidetheirheadshastilyundertheircoverlet。
InthemeantimeJeanValjeanandthecoachmanhadtakenMariusoutofthecarriage，JeanValjeansupportinghimunderthearmpits，andthecoachmanundertheknees。
AstheythusboreMarius，JeanValjeanslippedhishandunderthelatter’sclothes，whichwerebroadlyrent，felthisbreast，andassuredhimselfthathisheartwasstillbeating。Itwasevenbeatingalittlelessfeebly，asthoughthemovementofthecarriagehadbroughtaboutacertainfreshaccessoflife。
Javertaddressedtheporterinatonebefittingthegovernment，andthepresenceoftheporterofafactiousperson。
\"SomepersonwhosenameisGillenormand？\"
\"Here。Whatdoyouwantwithhim？\"
\"Hissonisbroughtback。\"
\"Hisson？\"saidtheporterstupidly。
\"Heisdead。\"
JeanValjean，who，soiledandtattered，stoodbehindJavert，andwhomtheporterwassurveyingwithsomehorror，madeasigntohimwithhisheadthatthiswasnotso。
TheporterdidnotappeartounderstandeitherJavert’swordsorJeanValjean’ssign。
Javertcontinued:
\"Hewenttothebarricade，andhereheis。\"
\"Tothebarricade？\"ejaculatedtheporter。
\"Hehasgothimselfkilled。Gowakenhisfather。\"
Theporterdidnotstir。
\"Goalongwithyou！\"repeatedJavert。
Andheadded:
\"Therewillbeafuneralhereto—morrow。\"
ForJavert，theusualincidentsofthepublichighwaywerecategoricallyclassed，whichisthebeginningofforesightandsurveillance，andeachcontingencyhaditsowncompartment；allpossiblefactswerearrangedindrawers，asitwere，whencetheyemergedonoccasion，invariablequantities；inthestreet，uproar，revolt，carnival，andfuneral。
TheportercontentedhimselfwithwakingBasque。BasquewokeNicolette；
Nicoletterousedgreat—auntGillenormand。
Asforthegrandfather，theylethimsleepon，thinkingthathewouldhearaboutthematterearlyenoughinanycase。
Mariuswascarrieduptothefirstfloor，withoutanyoneintheotherpartsofthehousebeingawareofthefact，anddepositedonanoldsofainM。Gillenormand’santechamber；andwhileBasquewentinsearchofaphysician，andwhileNicoletteopenedthelinen—presses，JeanValjeanfeltJaverttouchhimontheshoulder。
Heunderstoodanddescendedthestairs，havingbehindhimthestepofJavertwhowasfollowinghim。
Theporterwatchedthemtaketheirdepartureashehadwatchedtheirarrival，interrifiedsomnolence。
Theyenteredthecarriageoncemore，andthecoachmanmountedhisbox。
\"InspectorJavert，\"saidJean，\"grantmeyetanotherfavor。\"
\"Whatisit？\"demandedJavertroughly。
\"Letmegohomeforoneinstant。Thenyoushalldowhateveryoulikewithme。\"
Javertremainedsilentforafewmoments，withhischindrawnbackintothecollarofhisgreat—coat，thenheloweredtheglassandfront:
\"Driver，\"saidhe，\"Ruedel’HommeArme，No。7。\"
CHAPTERXI
CONCUSSIONINTHEABSOLUTE
Theydidnotopentheirlipsagainduringthewholespaceoftheirride。
WhatdidJeanValjeanwant？Tofinishwhathehadbegun；towarnCosette，totellherwhereMariuswas，togiveher，possibly，someotherusefulinformation，totake，ifhecould，certainfinalmeasures。
Asforhimself，sofarashewaspersonallyconcerned，allwasover；
hehadbeenseizedbyJavertandhadnotresisted；anyothermanthanhimselfinlikesituationwould，perhaps，havehadsomevaguethoughtsconnectedwiththeropewhichThenardierhadgivenhim，andofthebarsofthefirstcellthatheshouldenter；but，letusimpressituponthereader，aftertheBishop，therehadexistedinJeanValjeanaprofoundhesitationinthepresenceofanyviolence，evenwhendirectedagainsthimself。
Suicide，thatmysteriousactofviolenceagainsttheunknownwhichmaycontain，inameasure，thedeathofthesoul，wasimpossibletoJeanValjean。
AttheentrancetotheRuedel’HommeArme，thecarriagehalted，thewaybeingtoonarrowtoadmitoftheentranceofvehicles。
JavertandJeanValjeanalighted。
Thecoachmanhumblyrepresentedto\"monsieurl’Inspecteur，\"
thattheUtrechtvelvetofhiscarriagewasallspottedwiththebloodoftheassassinatedman，andwithmirefromtheassassin。Thatisthewayheunderstoodit。Headdedthatanindemnitywasduehim。
Atthesametime，drawinghiscertificatebookfromhispocket，hebeggedtheinspectortohavethegoodnesstowritehim\"abitofanattestation。\"
Javertthrustasidethebookwhichthecoachmanheldouttohim，andsaid:
\"Howmuchdoyouwant，includingyourtimeofwaitingandthedrive？\"
\"Itcomestosevenhoursandaquarter，\"repliedtheman，\"andmyvelvetwasperfectlynew。Eightyfrancs，Mr。Inspector。\"
Javertdrewfournapoleonsfromhispocketanddismissedthecarriage。
JeanValjeanfanciedthatitwasJavert’sintentiontoconducthimonfoottothepostoftheBlancs—ManteauxortothepostoftheArchives，bothofwhicharecloseathand。
Theyenteredthestreet。Itwasdesertedasusual。JavertfollowedJeanValjean。TheyreachedNo。7。JeanValjeanknocked。
Thedooropened。
\"Itiswell，\"saidJavert。\"Goupstairs。\"
Headdedwithastrangeexpression，andasthoughhewereexertinganeffortinspeakinginthismanner:
\"Iwillwaitforyouhere。\"
JeanValjeanlookedatJavert。ThismodeofprocedurewasbutlittleinaccordwithJavert’shabits。However，hecouldnotbegreatlysurprisedthatJavertshouldnowhaveasortofhaughtyconfidenceinhim，theconfidenceofthecatwhichgrantsthemouselibertytothelengthofitsclaws，seeingthatJeanValjeanhadmadeuphismindtosurrenderhimselfandtomakeanendofit。
Hepushedopenthedoor，enteredthehouse，calledtotheporterwhowasinbedandwhohadpulledthecordfromhiscouch:\"ItisI！\"
andascendedthestairs。
Onarrivingatthefirstfloor，hepaused。Allsorrowfulroadshavetheirstations。Thewindowonthelanding—place，whichwasasash—window，wasopen。Asinmanyancienthouses，thestaircasegotitslightfromwithoutandhadaviewonthestreet。
Thestreet—lantern，situateddirectlyopposite，castsomelightonthestairs，andthuseffectedsomeeconomyinillumination。
JeanValjean，eitherforthesakeofgettingtheair，ormechanically，thrusthisheadoutofthiswindow。Heleanedoutoverthestreet。
Itisshort，andthelanternlighteditfromendtoend。
JeanValjeanwasoverwhelmedwithamazement；therewasnolongeranyonethere。
Javerthadtakenhisdeparture。
CHAPTERXII
THEGRANDFATHER
BasqueandtheporterhadcarriedMariusintothedrawing—room，ashestilllaystretchedout，motionless，onthesofauponwhichhehadbeenplacedonhisarrival。Thedoctorwhohadbeensentforhadhastenedthither。AuntGillenormandhadrisen。
AuntGillenormandwentandcame，inaffright，wringingherhandsandincapableofdoinganythingbutsaying:\"Heavens！isitpossible？\"
Attimessheadded:\"Everythingwillbecoveredwithblood。\"
Whenherfirsthorrorhadpassedoff，acertainphilosophyofthesituationpenetratedhermind，andtookformintheexclamation:
\"Itwasboundtoendinthisway！\"Shedidnotgosofaras:
\"Itoldyouso！\"whichiscustomaryonthissortofoccasion。
Atthephysician’sorders，acampbedhadbeenpreparedbesidethesofa。
ThedoctorexaminedMarius，andafterhavingfoundthathispulsewasstillbeating，thatthewoundedmanhadnoverydeepwoundonhisbreast，andthatthebloodonthecornersofhislipsproceededfromhisnostrils，hehadhimplacedflatonthebed，withoutapillow，withhisheadonthesamelevelashisbody，andevenatriflelower，andwithhisbustbareinordertofacilitaterespiration。
MademoiselleGillenormand，onperceivingthattheywereundressingMarius，withdrew。Shesetherselftotellingherbeadsinherownchamber。
Thetrunkhadnotsufferedanyinternalinjury；abullet，deadenedbythepocket—book，hadturnedasideandmadethetourofhisribswithahideouslaceration，whichwasofnogreatdepth，andconsequently，notdangerous。Thelong，undergroundjourneyhadcompletedthedislocationofthebrokencollar—bone，andthedisordertherewasserious。Thearmshadbeenslashedwithsabrecuts。
Notasinglescardisfiguredhisface；buthisheadwasfairlycoveredwithcuts；whatwouldbetheresultofthesewoundsonthehead？
Wouldtheystopshortatthehairycuticle，orwouldtheyattackthebrain？Asyet，thiscouldnotbedecided。Agravesymptomwasthattheyhadcausedaswoon，andthatpeopledonotalwaysrecoverfromsuchswoons。Moreover，thewoundedmanhadbeenexhaustedbyhemorrhage。Fromthewaistdown，thebarricadehadprotectedthelowerpartofthebodyfrominjury。
BasqueandNicolettetoreuplinenandpreparedbandages；Nicolettesewedthem，Basquerolledthem。Aslintwaslacking，thedoctor，forthetimebeing，arrestedthebleedingwithlayersofwadding。
Besidethebed，threecandlesburnedonatablewherethecaseofsurgicalinstrumentslayspreadout。ThedoctorbathedMarius’
faceandhairwithcoldwater。Afullpailwasreddenedinaninstant。
Theporter，candleinhand，lightedthem。
Thedoctorseemedtobeponderingsadly。Fromtimetotime，hemadeanegativesignwithhishead，asthoughreplyingtosomequestionwhichhehadinwardlyaddressedtohimself。
Abadsignforthesickmanarethesemysteriousdialoguesofthedoctorwithhimself。
AtthemomentwhenthedoctorwaswipingMarius’face，andlightlytouchinghisstillclosedeyeswithhisfinger，adooropenedattheendofthedrawing—room，andalong，pallidfiguremadeitsappearance。
Thiswasthegrandfather。
Therevolthad，forthepasttwodays，deeplyagitated，enragedandengrossedthemindofM。Gillenormand。Hehadnotbeenabletosleeponthepreviousnight，andhehadbeeninafeveralldaylong。
Intheevening，hehadgonetobedveryearly，recommendingthateverythinginthehouseshouldbewellbarred，andhehadfallenintoadozethroughsheerfatigue。
Oldmensleeplightly；M。Gillenormand’schamberadjoinedthedrawing—room，andinspiteofalltheprecautionsthathadbeentaken，thenoisehadawakenedhim。Surprisedattheriftoflightwhichhesawunderhisdoor，hehadrisenfromhisbed，andhadgropedhiswaythither。
Hestoodastonishedonthethreshold，onehandonthehandleofthehalf—opendoor，withhisheadbentalittleforwardandquivering，hisbodywrappedinawhitedressing—gown，whichwasstraightandasdestituteoffoldsasawinding—sheet；andhehadtheairofaphantomwhoisgazingintoatomb。
Hesawthebed，andonthemattressthatyoungman，bleeding，whitewithawaxenwhiteness，withclosedeyesandgapingmouth，andpallidlips，strippedtothewaist，slashedalloverwithcrimsonwounds，motionlessandbrilliantlylightedup。
Thegrandfathertrembledfromheadtofootaspowerfullyasossifiedlimbscantremble，hiseyes，whosecorneaewereyellowonaccountofhisgreatage，wereveiledinasortofvitreousglitter，hiswholefaceassumedinaninstanttheearthyanglesofaskull，hisarmsfellpendent，asthoughaspringhadbroken，andhisamazementwasbetrayedbytheoutspreadingofthefingersofhistwoagedhands，whichquiveredallover，hiskneesformedanangleinfront，allowing，throughtheopeninginhisdressing—gown，aviewofhispoorbarelegs，allbristlingwithwhitehairs，andhemurmured:
\"Marius！\"
\"Sir，\"saidBasque，\"Monsieurhasjustbeenbroughtback。
Hewenttothebarricade，and……\"
\"Heisdead！\"criedtheoldmaninaterriblevoice。\"Ah！Therascal！\"
Thenasortofsepulchraltransformationstraightenedupthiscentenarianaserectasayoungman。
\"Sir，\"saidhe，\"youarethedoctor。Beginbytellingmeonething。
Heisdead，ishenot？\"
Thedoctor，whowasatthehighestpitchofanxiety，remainedsilent。
M。Gillenormandwrunghishandswithanoutburstofterriblelaughter。
\"Heisdead！Heisdead！Heisdead！Hehasgothimselfkilledonthebarricades！Outofhatredtome！Hedidthattospiteme！Ah！Youblood—drinker！Thisisthewayhereturnstome！
Miseryofmylife，heisdead！\"
Hewenttothewindow，threwitwideopenasthoughhewerestifling，and，erectbeforethedarkness，hebegantotalkintothestreet，tothenight:
\"Pierced，sabred，exterminated，slashed，hackedinpieces！Justlookatthat，thevillain！HeknewwellthatIwaswaitingforhim，andthatIhadhadhisroomarranged，andthatIhadplacedattheheadofmybedhisportraittakenwhenhewasalittlechild！
Heknewwellthathehadonlytocomeback，andthatIhadbeenrecallinghimforyears，andthatIremainedbymyfireside，withmyhandsonmyknees，notknowingwhattodo，andthatIwasmadoverit！Youknewwell，thatyouhadbuttoreturnandtosay:
`ItisI，’andyouwouldhavebeenthemasterofthehouse，andthatI
shouldhaveobeyedyou，andthatyoucouldhavedonewhateveryoupleasedwithyouroldnumskullofagrandfather！youknewthatwell，andyousaid:
\"No，heisaRoyalist，Iwillnotgo！Andyouwenttothebarricades，andyougotyourselfkilledoutofmalice！TorevengeyourselfforwhatIsaidtoyouaboutMonsieurleDucdeBerry。
Itisinfamous！Gotobedthenandsleeptranquilly！heisdead，andthisismyawakening。\"
Thedoctor，whowasbeginningtobeuneasyinbothquarters，quittedMariusforamoment，wenttoM。Gillenormand，andtookhisarm。
Thegrandfatherturnedround，gazedathimwitheyeswhichseemedexaggeratedinsizeandbloodshot，andsaidtohimcalmly:
\"Ithankyou，sir。Iamcomposed，Iamaman，IwitnessedthedeathofLouisXVI。，Iknowhowtobearevents。Onethingisterribleandthatistothinkthatitisyournewspaperswhichdoallthemischief。
Youwillhavescribblers，chatterers，lawyers，orators，tribunes，discussions，progress，enlightenment，therightsofman，thelibertyofthepress，andthisisthewaythatyourchildrenwillbebroughthometoyou。Ah！Marius！Itisabominable！Killed！Deadbeforeme！
Abarricade！Ah，thescamp！Doctor，youliveinthisquarter，Ibelieve？Oh！Iknowyouwell。Iseeyourcabrioletpassmywindow。Iamgoingtotellyou。YouarewrongtothinkthatI
amangry。Onedoesnotflyintoarageagainstadeadman。
Thatwouldbestupid。ThisisachildwhomIhavereared。
Iwasalreadyoldwhilehewasveryyoung。HeplayedintheTuileriesgardenwithhislittleshovelandhislittlechair，andinorderthattheinspectorsmightnotgrumble，Istoppeduptheholesthathemadeintheearthwithhisshovel，withmycane。
Onedayheexclaimed:DownwithLouisXVIII。！andoffhewent。
Itwasnofaultofmine。Hewasallrosyandblond。Hismotherisdead。Haveyouevernoticedthatalllittlechildrenareblond？
Whyisitso？HeisthesonofoneofthosebrigandsoftheLoire，butchildrenareinnocentoftheirfathers’crimes。Irememberwhenhewasnohigherthanthat。HecouldnotmanagetopronouncehisDs。
Hehadawayoftalkingthatwassosweetandindistinctthatyouwouldhavethoughtitwasabirdchirping。Irememberthatonce，infrontoftheHerculesFarnese，peopleformedacircletoadmirehimandmarvelathim，hewassohandsome，wasthatchild！
Hehadaheadsuchasyouseeinpictures。Italkedinadeepvoice，andIfrightenedhimwithmycane，butheknewverywellthatitwasonlytomakehimlaugh。Inthemorning，whenheenteredmyroom，Igrumbled，buthewaslikethesunlighttome，allthesame。
Onecannotdefendoneselfagainstthosebrats。Theytakeholdofyou，theyholdyoufast，theyneverletyougoagain。Thetruthis，thatthereneverwasacupidlikethatchild。Now，whatcanyousayforyourLafayettes，yourBenjaminConstants，andyourTirecuirdeCorcelleswhohavekilledhim？Thiscannotbeallowedtopassinthisfashion。\"
HeapproachedMarius，whostilllaylividandmotionless，andtowhomthephysicianhadreturned，andbeganoncemoretowringhishands。Theoldman’spallidlipsmovedasthoughmechanically，andpermittedthepassageofwordsthatwerebarelyaudible，likebreathsinthedeathagony:
\"Ah！heartlesslad！Ah！clubbist！Ah！wretch！Ah！Septembrist！\"
Reproachesinthelowvoiceofanagonizingman，addressedtoacorpse。
Littlebylittle，asitisalwaysindispensablethatinternaleruptionsshouldcometothelight，thesequenceofwordsreturned，butthegrandfatherappearednolongertohavethestrengthtoutterthem，hisvoicewassoweak，andextinct，thatitseemedtocomefromtheothersideofanabyss:
\"Itisallthesametome，Iamgoingtodietoo，thatIam。
AndtothinkthatthereisnotahussyinPariswhowouldnothavebeendelightedtomakethiswretchhappy！Ascampwho，insteadofamusinghimselfandenjoyinglife，wentofftofightandgethimselfshotdownlikeabrute！Andforwhom？Why？FortheRepublic！
InsteadofgoingtodanceattheChaumiere，asitisthedutyofyoungfolkstodo！What’stheuseofbeingtwentyyearsold？TheRepublic，acursedprettyfolly！Poormothers，begetfineboys，do！Come，heisdead。Thatwillmaketwofuneralsunderthesamecarriagegate。
SoyouhavegotyourselfarrangedlikethisforthesakeofGeneralLamarque’shandsomeeyes！WhathadthatGeneralLamarquedonetoyou？
Aslasher！Achatter—box！Togetoneselfkilledforadeadman！
Ifthatisn’tenoughtodriveanyonemad！Justthinkofit！
Attwenty！Andwithoutsomuchasturninghisheadtoseewhetherhewasnotleavingsomethingbehindhim！That’sthewaypoor，goodoldfellowsareforcedtodiealone，now—adays。Perishinyourcorner，owl！Well，afterall，somuchthebetter，thatiswhatIwashopingfor，thiswillkillmeonthespot。Iamtooold，Iamahundredyearsold，Iamahundredthousandyearsold，Iought，byrights，tohavebeendeadlongago。Thisblowputsanendtoit。
Soallisover，whathappiness！Whatisthegoodofmakinghiminhaleammoniaandallthatparcelofdrugs？Youarewastingyourtrouble，youfoolofadoctor！Come，he’sdead，completelydead。
Iknowallaboutit，Iamdeadmyselftoo。Hehasn’tdonethingsbyhalf。Yes，thisageisinfamous，infamousandthat’swhatI
thinkofyou，ofyourideas，ofyoursystems，ofyourmasters，ofyouroracles，ofyourdoctors，ofyourscape—gracesofwriters，ofyourrascallyphilosophers，andofalltherevolutionswhich，forthelastsixtyyears，havebeenfrighteningtheflocksofcrowsintheTuileries！Butyouwerepitilessingettingyourselfkilledlikethis，Ishallnotevengrieveoveryourdeath，doyouunderstand，youassassin？\"
Atthatmoment，Mariusslowlyopenedhiseyes，andhisglance，stilldimmedbylethargicwonder，restedonM。Gillenormand。
\"Marius！\"criedtheoldman。\"Marius！MylittleMarius！mychild！mywell—belovedson！Youopenyoureyes，yougazeuponme，youarealive，thanks！\"
Andhefellfainting。
BOOKFOURTH。——JAVERTDERAILED
CHAPTERI
JavertpassedslowlydowntheRuedel’HommeArme。
Hewalkedwithdroopingheadforthefirsttimeinhislife，andlikewise，forthefirsttimeinhislife，withhishandsbehindhisback。
Uptothatday，JaverthadborrowedfromNapoleon’sattitudes，onlythatwhichisexpressiveofresolution，witharmsfoldedacrossthechest；thatwhichisexpressiveofuncertainty——withthehandsbehindtheback——hadbeenunknowntohim。Now，achangehadtakenplace；
hiswholeperson，slowandsombre，wasstampedwithanxiety。
Heplungedintothesilentstreets。
Nevertheless，hefollowedonegivendirection。
HetooktheshortestcuttotheSeine，reachedtheQuaidesOrmes，skirtedthequay，passedtheGreve，andhaltedatsomedistancefromthepostofthePlaceduChatelet，attheangleofthePontNotre—Dame。There，betweentheNotre—DameandthePontauChangeontheonehand，andtheQuaidelaMegisserieandtheQuaiauxFleursontheother，theSeineformsasortofsquarelake，traversedbyarapid。
ThispointoftheSeineisdreadedbymariners。Nothingismoredangerousthanthisrapid，hemmedin，atthatepoch，andirritatedbythepilesofthemillonthebridge，nowdemolished。
Thetwobridges，situatedthusclosetogether，augmenttheperil；
thewaterhurriesinformidablewisethroughthearches。Itrollsinvastandterriblewaves；itaccumulatesandpilesupthere；
thefloodattacksthepilesofthebridgesasthoughinanefforttopluckthemupwithgreatliquidropes。Menwhofallinthereneverre—appear；thebestofswimmersaredrownedthere。
Javertleanedbothelbowsontheparapet，hischinrestinginbothhands，and，whilehisnailsweremechanicallytwinedintheabundanceofhiswhiskers，hemeditated。
Anovelty，arevolution，acatastrophehadjusttakenplaceinthedepthsofhisbeing；andhehadsomethinguponwhichtoexaminehimself。
Javertwasundergoinghorriblesuffering。
Forseveralhours，Javerthadceasedtobesimple。Hewastroubled；
thatbrain，solimpidinitsblindness，hadlostitstransparency；
thatcrystalwasclouded。Javertfeltdutydividedwithinhisconscience，andhecouldnotconcealthefactfromhimself。WhenhehadsounexpectedlyencounteredJeanValjeanonthebanksoftheSeine，therehadbeeninhimsomethingofthewolfwhichregainshisgriponhisprey，andofthedogwhofindshismasteragain。
Hebeheldbeforehimtwopaths，bothequallystraight，buthebeheldtwo；andthatterrifiedhim；him，whohadneverinallhislifeknownmorethanonestraightline。And，thepoignantanguishlayinthis，thatthetwopathswerecontrarytoeachother。
Oneofthesestraightlinesexcludedtheother。Whichofthetwowasthetrueone？
Hissituationwasindescribable。
Toowehislifetoamalefactor，toacceptthatdebtandtorepayit；
tobe，inspiteofhimself，onalevelwithafugitivefromjustice，andtorepayhisservicewithanotherservice；toallowittobesaidtohim，\"Go，\"andtosaytothelatterinhisturn:\"Befree\"；
tosacrificetopersonalmotivesduty，thatgeneralobligation，andtobeconscious，inthosepersonalmotives，ofsomethingthatwasalsogeneral，and，perchance，superior，tobetraysocietyinordertoremaintruetohisconscience；thatalltheseabsurditiesshouldberealizedandshouldaccumulateuponhim，——thiswaswhatoverwhelmedhim。
Onethinghadamazedhim，——thiswasthatJeanValjeanshouldhavedonehimafavor，andonethingpetrifiedhim，——
thathe，Javert，shouldhavedoneJeanValjeanafavor。
Wheredidhestand？Hesoughttocomprehendhisposition，andcouldnolongerfindhisbearings。
Whatwashetodonow？TodeliverupJeanValjeanwasbad；
toleaveJeanValjeanatlibertywasbad。Inthefirstcase，themanofauthorityfelllowerthanthemanofthegalleys，inthesecond，aconvictroseabovethelaw，andsethisfootuponit。Inbothcases，dishonorforhim，Javert。Therewasdisgraceinanyresolutionatwhichhemightarrive。Destinyhassomeextremitieswhichriseperpendicularlyfromtheimpossible，andbeyondwhichlifeisnolongeranythingbutaprecipice。
Javerthadreachedoneofthoseextremities。
Oneofhisanxietiesconsistedinbeingconstrainedtothink。
Theveryviolenceofalltheseconflictingemotionsforcedhimtoit。
Thoughtwassomethingtowhichhewasunused，andwhichwaspeculiarlypainful。
Inthoughttherealwaysexistsacertainamountofinternalrebellion；
anditirritatedhimtohavethatwithinhim。
Thoughtonanysubjectwhatever，outsideoftherestrictedcircleofhisfunctions，wouldhavebeenforhiminanycaseuselessandafatigue；
thoughtonthedaywhichhadjustpassedwasatorture。Nevertheless，itwasindispensablethatheshouldtakealookintohisconscience，aftersuchshocks，andrendertohimselfanaccountofhimself。
Whathehadjustdonemadehimshudder。He，Javert，hadseenfittodecide，contrarytoalltheregulationsofthepolice，contrarytothewholesocialandjudicialorganization，contrarytotheentirecode，uponarelease；thishadsuitedhim；hehadsubstitutedhisownaffairsfortheaffairsofthepublic；wasnotthisunjustifiable？
Everytimethathebroughthimselffacetofacewiththisdeedwithoutanamewhichhehadcommitted，hetrembledfromheadtofoot。
Uponwhatshouldhedecide？Onesoleresourceremainedtohim；
toreturninallhastetotheRuedel’HommeArme，andcommitJeanValjeantoprison。Itwasclearthatthatwaswhatheoughttodo。
Hecouldnot。
Somethingbarredhiswayinthatdirection。
Something？What？Isthereintheworld，anythingoutsideofthetribunals，executorysentences，thepoliceandtheauthorities？
Javertwasoverwhelmed。
Agalley—slavesacred！Aconvictwhocouldnotbetouchedbythelaw！
AndthatthedeedofJavert！
WasitnotafearfulthingthatJavertandJeanValjean，themanmadetoproceedwithvigor，themanmadetosubmit，——thatthesetwomenwhowereboththethingsofthelaw，shouldhavecometosuchapass，thatbothofthemhadsetthemselvesabovethelaw？Whatthen！suchenormitiesweretohappenandnoonewastobepunished！JeanValjean，strongerthanthewholesocialorder，wastoremainatliberty，andhe，Javert，wastogooneatingthegovernment’sbread！
Hisreverygraduallybecameterrible。
Hemight，athwartthisrevery，havealsoreproachedhimselfonthesubjectofthatinsurgentwhohadbeentakentotheRuedesFilles—du—Calvaire；buthenevereventhoughtofthat。
Thelesserfaultwaslostinthegreater。Besides，thatinsurgentwas，obviously，adeadman，and，legally，deathputsanendtopursuit。
JeanValjeanwastheloadwhichweigheduponhisspirit。
JeanValjeandisconcertedhim。Alltheaxiomswhichhadservedhimaspointsofsupportallhislifelong，hadcrumbledawayinthepresenceofthisman。JeanValjean’sgenerositytowardshim，Javert，crushedhim。Otherfactswhichhenowrecalled，andwhichhehadformerlytreatedasliesandfolly，nowrecurredtohimasrealities。M。Madeleinere—appearedbehindJeanValjean，andthetwofiguresweresuperposedinsuchfashionthattheynowformedbutone，whichwasvenerable。Javertfeltthatsomethingterriblewaspenetratinghissoul——admirationforaconvict。
Respectforagalley—slave——isthatapossiblething？Heshudderedatit，yetcouldnotescapefromit。Invaindidhestruggle，hewasreducedtoconfess，inhisinmostheart，thesublimityofthatwretch。Thiswasodious。
Abenevolentmalefactor，merciful，gentle，helpful，clement，aconvict，returninggoodforevil，givingbackpardonforhatred，preferringpitytovengeance，preferringtoruinhimselfratherthantoruinhisenemy，savinghimwhohadsmittenhim，kneelingontheheightsofvirtue，morenearlyakintoanangelthantoaman。
Javertwasconstrainedtoadmittohimselfthatthismonsterexisted。
Thingscouldnotgooninthismanner。
Certainly，andweinsistuponthispoint，hehadnotyieldedwithoutresistancetothatmonster，tothatinfamousangel，tothathideoushero，whoenragedalmostasmuchasheamazedhim。
Twentytimes，ashesatinthatcarriagefacetofacewithJeanValjean，thelegaltigerhadroaredwithinhim。AscoreoftimeshehadbeentemptedtoflinghimselfuponJeanValjean，toseizehimanddevourhim，thatistosay，toarresthim。Whatmoresimple，infact？Tocryoutatthefirstpostthattheypassed:——\"Hereisafugitivefromjustice，whohasbrokenhisban！\"tosummonthegendarmesandsaytothem:\"Thismanisyours！\"thentogooff，leavingthatcondemnedmanthere，toignoretherestandnottomeddlefurtherinthematter。Thismanisforeveraprisonerofthelaw；
thelawmaydowithhimwhatitwill。Whatcouldbemorejust？
Javerthadsaidallthistohimself；hehadwishedtopassbeyond，toact，toapprehendtheman，andthen，asatpresent，hehadnotbeenabletodoit；andeverytimethathisarmhadbeenraisedconvulsivelytowardsJeanValjean’scollar，hishandhadfallenbackagain，asbeneathanenormousweight，andinthedepthsofhisthoughthehadheardavoice，astrangevoicecryingtohim:——\"Itiswell。
Deliverupyoursavior。ThenhavethebasinofPontiusPilatebroughtandwashyourclaws。\"
ThenhisreflectionsrevertedtohimselfandbesideJeanValjeanglorifiedhebeheldhimself，Javert，degraded。
Aconvictwashisbenefactor！
Butthen，whyhadhepermittedthatmantoleavehimalive？
Hehadtherighttobekilledinthatbarricade。Heshouldhaveassertedthatright。ItwouldhavebeenbettertosummontheotherinsurgentstohissuccoragainstJeanValjean，togethimselfshotbyforce。
Hissupremeanguishwasthelossofcertainty。Hefeltthathehadbeenuprooted。Thecodewasnolongeranythingmorethanastumpinhishand。Hehadtodealwithscruplesofanunknownspecies。
Therehadtakenplacewithinhimasentimentalrevelationentirelydistinctfromlegalaffirmation，hisonlystandardofmeasurementhitherto。Toremaininhisformeruprightnessdidnotsuffice。
Awholeorderofunexpectedfactshadcroppedupandsubjugatedhim。
Awholenewworldwasdawningonhissoul:kindnessacceptedandrepaid，devotion，mercy，indulgence，violencescommittedbypityonausterity，respectforpersons，nomoredefinitivecondemnation，nomoreconviction，thepossibilityofatearintheeyeofthelaw，nooneknowswhatjusticeaccordingtoGod，runningininversesensetojusticeaccordingtomen。Heperceivedamidtheshadowstheterriblerisingofanunknownmoralsun；ithorrifiedanddazzledhim。
Anowlforcedtothegazeofaneagle。
Hesaidtohimselfthatitwastruethattherewereexceptionalcases，thatauthoritymightbeputoutofcountenance，thattherulemightbeinadequateinthepresenceofafact，thateverythingcouldnotbeframedwithinthetextofthecode，thattheunforeseencompelledobedience，thatthevirtueofaconvictmightsetasnareforthevirtueofthefunctionary，thatdestinydidindulgeinsuchambushes，andhereflectedwithdespairthathehimselfhadnotevenbeenfortifiedagainstasurprise。
Hewasforcedtoacknowledgethatgoodnessdidexist。Thisconvicthadbeengood。Andhehimself，unprecedentedcircumstance，hadjustbeengoodalso。Sohewasbecomingdepraved。
Hefoundthathewasacoward。Heconceivedahorrorofhimself。
Javert’sideal，wasnottobehuman，tobegrand，tobesublime；
itwastobeirreproachable。
Now，hehadjustfailedinthis。
Howhadhecometosuchapass？Howhadallthishappened？
Hecouldnothavetoldhimself。Heclaspedhisheadinbothhands，butinspiteofallthathecoulddo，hecouldnotcontrivetoexplainittohimself。
HehadcertainlyalwaysentertainedtheintentionofrestoringJeanValjeantothelawofwhichJeanValjeanwasthecaptive，andofwhichhe，Javert，wastheslave。Notforasingleinstantwhileheheldhiminhisgrasphadheconfessedtohimselfthatheentertainedtheideaofreleasinghim。Itwas，insomesort，withouthisconsciousness，thathishandhadrelaxedandhadlethimgofree。
Allsortsofinterrogationpointsflashedbeforehiseyes。Heputquestionstohimself，andmaderepliestohimself，andhisrepliesfrightenedhim。Heaskedhimself:\"Whathasthatconvictdone，thatdesperatefellow，whomIhavepursuedeventopersecution，andwhohashadmeunderhisfoot，andwhocouldhaveavengedhimself，andwhooweditbothtohisrancorandtohissafety，inleavingmemylife，inshowingmercyuponme？Hisduty？No。Somethingmore。
AndIinshowingmercyuponhiminmyturn——whathaveIdone？
Myduty？No。Somethingmore。Sothereissomethingbeyondduty？\"
Herehetookfright；hisbalancebecamedisjointed；oneofthescalesfellintotheabyss，theotherroseheavenward，andJavertwasnolessterrifiedbytheonewhichwasonhighthanbytheonewhichwasbelow。WithoutbeingintheleastintheworldwhatiscalledVoltairianoraphilosopher，orincredulous，being，onthecontrary，respectfulbyinstinct，towardstheestablishedchurch，heknewitonlyasanaugustfragmentofthesocialwhole；orderwashisdogma，andsufficedforhim；eversincehehadattainedtoman’sestateandtherankofafunctionary，hehadcentrednearlyallhisreligioninthepolice。Being，——andhereweemploywordswithouttheleastironyandintheirmostseriousacceptation，being，aswehavesaid，aspyasothermenarepriests。Hehadasuperior，M。Gisquet；
uptothatdayhehadneverdreamedofthatothersuperior，God。
Thisnewchief，God，hebecameunexpectedlyconsciousof，andhefeltembarrassedbyhim。Thisunforeseenpresencethrewhimoffhisbearings；
hedidnotknowwhattodowiththissuperior，he，whowasnotignorantofthefactthatthesubordinateisboundalwaystobow，thathemustnotdisobey，norfindfault，nordiscuss，andthat，inthepresenceofasuperiorwhoamazeshimtoogreatly，theinferiorhasnootherresourcethanthatofhandinginhisresignation。
ButhowwashetosetabouthandinginhisresignationtoGod？
Howeverthingsmightstand，——anditwastothispointthatherevertedconstantly，——onefactdominatedeverythingelseforhim，andthatwas，thathehadjustcommittedaterribleinfractionofthelaw。Hehadjustshuthiseyesonanescapedconvictwhohadbrokenhisban。Hehadjustsetagalley—slaveatlarge。
Hehadjustrobbedthelawsofamanwhobelongedtothem。
Thatwaswhathehaddone。Henolongerunderstoodhimself。
Theveryreasonsforhisactionescapedhim；onlytheirvertigowasleftwithhim。Uptothatmomenthehadlivedwiththatblindfaithwhichgloomyprobityengenders。Thisfaithhadquittedhim，thisprobityhaddesertedhim。Allthathehadbelievedinmeltedaway。Truthswhichhedidnotwishtorecognizewerebesieginghim，inexorably。Henceforth，hemustbeadifferentman。
Hewassufferingfromthestrangepainsofaconscienceabruptlyoperatedonforthecataract。Hesawthatwhichitwasrepugnanttohimtobehold。Hefelthimselfemptied，useless，putoutofjointwithhispastlife，turnedout，dissolved。Authoritywasdeadwithinhim。Hehadnolongeranyreasonforexisting。
Aterriblesituation！tobetouched。
Tobegraniteandtodoubt！tobethestatueofChastisementcastinonepieceinthemouldofthelaw，andsuddenlytobecomeawareofthefactthatonecherishesbeneathone’sbreastofbronzesomethingabsurdanddisobedientwhichalmostresemblesaheart！
Tocometothepassofreturninggoodforgood，althoughonehassaidtooneselfuptothatdaythatthatgoodisevil！tobethewatch—dog，andtolicktheintruder’shand！tobeiceandmelt！
tobethepincersandtoturnintoahand！tosuddenlyfeelone’sfingersopening！torelaxone’sgrip，——whataterriblething！
Theman—projectilenolongeracquaintedwithhisrouteandretreating！
Tobeobligedtoconfessthistooneself:infallibilityisnotinfallible，theremayexisterrorinthedogma，allhasnotbeensaidwhenacodespeaks，societyisnotperfect，authorityiscomplicatedwithvacillation，acrackispossibleintheimmutable，judgesarebutmen，thelawmayerr，tribunalsmaymakeamistake！
tobeholdariftintheimmensebluepaneofthefirmament！
ThatwhichwaspassinginJavertwastheFampouxofarectilinearconscience，thederailmentofasoul，thecrushingofaprobitywhichhadbeenirresistiblylaunchedinastraightlineandwasbreakingagainstGod。Itcertainlywassingularthatthestokeroforder，thattheengineerofauthority，mountedontheblindironhorsewithitsrigidroad，couldbeunseatedbyaflashoflight！
thattheimmovable，thedirect，thecorrect，thegeometrical，thepassive，theperfect，couldbend！thatthereshouldexistforthelocomotivearoadtoDamascus！
God，alwayswithinman，andrefractory，He，thetrueconscience，tothefalse；aprohibitiontothesparktodieout；anordertotheraytorememberthesun；aninjunctiontothesoultorecognizetheveritableabsolutewhenconfrontedwiththefictitiousabsolute，humanitywhichcannotbelost；thehumanheartindestructible；
thatsplendidphenomenon，thefinest，perhaps，ofallourinteriormarvels，didJavertunderstandthis？DidJavertpenetrateit？
DidJavertaccountforittohimself？Evidentlyhedidnot。
Butbeneaththepressureofthatincontestableincomprehensibilityhefelthisbrainbursting。
Hewaslessthemantransfiguredthanthevictimofthisprodigy。
Inallthisheperceivedonlythetremendousdifficultyofexistence。
Itseemedtohimthat，henceforth，hisrespirationwasrepressedforever。
Hewasnotaccustomedtohavingsomethingunknownhangingoverhishead。
Uptothispoint，everythingabovehimhadbeen，tohisgaze，merelyasmooth，limpidandsimplesurface；therewasnothingincomprehensible，nothingobscure；nothingthatwasnotdefined，regularlydisposed，linked，precise，circumscribed，exact，limited，closed，fullyprovidedfor；authoritywasaplanesurface；therewasnofallinit，nodizzinessinitspresence。Javerthadneverbeheldtheunknownexceptfrombelow。Theirregular，theunforeseen，thedisorderedopeningofchaos，thepossibleslipoveraprecipice——
thiswastheworkofthelowerregions，ofrebels，ofthewicked，ofwretches。NowJavertthrewhimselfback，andhewassuddenlyterrifiedbythisunprecedentedapparition:agulfonhigh。
What！onewasdismantledfromtoptobottom！onewasdisconcerted，absolutely！Inwhatcouldonetrust！Thatwhichhadbeenagreeduponwasgivingway！What！thedefectinsociety’sarmorcouldbediscoveredbyamagnanimouswretch！What！anhonestservitorofthelawcouldsuddenlyfindhimselfcaughtbetweentwocrimes——
thecrimeofallowingamantoescapeandthecrimeofarrestinghim！everythingwasnotsettledintheordersgivenbytheStatetothefunctionary！Theremightbeblindalleysinduty！What，——
allthiswasreal！wasittruethatanex—ruffian，weigheddownwithconvictions，couldriseerectandendbybeingintheright？
Wasthiscredible？weretherecasesinwhichthelawshouldretirebeforetransfiguredcrime，andstammeritsexcuses？——Yes，thatwasthestateofthecase！andJavertsawit！andJaverthadtouchedit！
andnotonlycouldhenotdenyit，buthehadtakenpartinit。
Thesewererealities。Itwasabominablethatactualfactscouldreachsuchdeformity。Iffactsdidtheirduty，theywouldconfinethemselvestobeingproofsofthelaw；facts——itisGodwhosendsthem。
Wasanarchy，then，onthepointofnowdescendingfromonhigh？
Thus，——andintheexaggerationofanguish，andtheopticalillusionofconsternation，allthatmighthavecorrectedandrestrainedthisimpressionwaseffaced，andsociety，andthehumanrace，andtheuniversewere，henceforth，summedupinhiseyes，inonesimpleandterriblefeature，——thusthepenallaws，thethingjudged，theforceduetolegislation，thedecreesofthesovereigncourts，themagistracy，thegovernment，prevention，repression，officialcruelty，wisdom，legalinfallibility，theprincipleofauthority，allthedogmasonwhichrestpoliticalandcivilsecurity，sovereignty，justice，publictruth，allthiswasrubbish，ashapelessmass，chaos；hehimself，Javert，thespyoforder，incorruptibilityintheserviceofthepolice，thebull—dogprovidenceofsociety，vanquishedandhurledtoearth；and，erect，atthesummitofallthatruin，amanwithagreencaponhisheadandahaloroundhisbrow；thiswastheastoundingconfusiontowhichhehadcome；thiswasthefearfulvisionwhichheborewithinhissoul。
Wasthistobeendured？No。
Aviolentstate，ifeversuchexisted。Therewereonlytwowaysofescapingfromit。OnewastogoresolutelytoJeanValjean，andrestoretohiscelltheconvictfromthegalleys。Theother……
Javertquittedtheparapet，and，withheaderectthistime，betookhimself，withafirmtread，towardsthestation—houseindicatedbyalanternatoneofthecornersofthePlaceduChatelet。
Onarrivingthere，hesawthroughthewindowasergeantofpolice，andheentered。Policemenrecognizeeachotherbytheverywayinwhichtheyopenthedoorofastation—house。Javertmentionedhisname，showedhiscardtothesergeant，andseatedhimselfatthetableofthepostonwhichacandlewasburning。Onatablelayapen，aleadeninkstandandpaper，providedintheeventofpossiblereportsandtheordersofthenightpatrols。Thistable，stillcompletedbyitsstraw—seatedchair，isaninstitution；
itexistsinallpolicestations；itisinvariablyornamentedwithabox—woodsaucerfilledwithsawdustandawaferboxofcardboardfilledwithredwafers，anditformstheloweststageofofficialstyle。
ItistherethattheliteratureoftheStatehasitsbeginning。
Javerttookapenandasheetofpaper，andbegantowrite。
Thisiswhathewrote:
AFEWOBSERVATIONSFORTHEGOODOFTHESERVICE。
\"Inthefirstplace:IbegMonsieurlePrefettocasthiseyesonthis。
\"Secondly:prisoners，onarrivingafterexamination，takeofftheirshoesandstandbarefootontheflagstoneswhiletheyarebeingsearched。Manyofthemcoughontheirreturntoprison。
Thisentailshospitalexpenses。
\"Thirdly:themodeofkeepingtrackofamanwithrelaysofpoliceagentsfromdistancetodistance，isgood，but，onimportantoccasions，itisrequisitethatatleasttwoagentsshouldneverlosesightofeachother，sothat，incaseoneagentshould，foranycause，growweakinhisservice，theothermaysupervisehimandtakehisplace。
\"Fourthly:itisinexplicablewhythespecialregulationoftheprisonoftheMadelonettesinterdictstheprisonerfromhavingachair，evenbypayingforit。
\"Fifthly:intheMadelonettesthereareonlytwobarstothecanteen，sothatthecanteenwomancantouchtheprisonerswithherhand。
\"Sixthly:theprisonerscalledbarkers，whosummontheotherprisonerstotheparlor，forcetheprisonertopaythemtwosoustocallhisnamedistinctly。Thisisatheft。
\"Seventhly:forabrokenthreadtensousarewithheldintheweavingshop；thisisanabuseofthecontractor，sincetheclothisnonetheworseforit。
\"Eighthly:itisannoyingforvisitorstoLaForcetobeobligedtotraversetheboys’courtinordertoreachtheparlorofSainte—Marie—l’Egyptienne。
\"Ninthly:itisafactthatanydaygendarmescanbeoverheardrelatinginthecourt—yardoftheprefecturetheinterrogationsputbythemagistratestoprisoners。Foragendarme，whoshouldbesworntosecrecy，torepeatwhathehasheardintheexaminationroomisagravedisorder。
\"Tenthly:Mme。Henryisanhonestwoman；hercanteenisveryneat；
butitisbadtohaveawomankeepthewickettothemouse—trapofthesecretcells。ThisisunworthyoftheConciergerieofagreatcivilization。\"
Javertwrotetheselinesinhiscalmestandmostcorrectchirography，notomittingasinglecomma，andmakingthepaperscreechunderhispen。
Belowthelastlinehesigned:
\"JAVERT，\"Inspectorofthe1stclass。
\"ThePostofthePlaceduChatelet。
\"June7th，1832，aboutoneo’clockinthemorning。\"
Javertdriedthefreshinkonthepaper，foldeditlikealetter，sealedit，wroteontheback:Notefortheadministration，leftitonthetable，andquittedthepost。Theglazedandgrateddoorfelltobehindhim。
AgainhetraversedthePlaceduChateletdiagonally，regainedthequay，andreturnedwithautomaticprecisiontotheverypointwhichhehadabandonedaquarterofanhourpreviously，leanedonhiselbowsandfoundhimselfagaininthesameattitudeonthesamepaving—stoneoftheparapet。Hedidnotappeartohavestirred。
Thedarknesswascomplete。Itwasthesepulchralmomentwhichfollowsmidnight。Aceilingofcloudsconcealedthestars。Notasinglelightburnedinthehousesofthecity；noonewaspassing；
allofthestreetsandquayswhichcouldbeseenweredeserted；
Notre—DameandthetowersoftheCourt—Houseseemedfeaturesofthenight。Astreetlanternreddenedthemarginofthequay。
Theoutlinesofthebridgeslayshapelessinthemistonebehindtheother。Recentrainshadswollentheriver。
ThespotwhereJavertwasleaningwas，itwillberemembered，situatedpreciselyovertherapidsoftheSeine，perpendicularlyabovethatformidablespiralofwhirlpoolswhichlooseandknotthemselvesagainlikeanendlessscrew。
Javertbenthisheadandgazed。Allwasblack。Nothingwastobedistinguished。Asoundoffoamwasaudible；buttherivercouldnotbeseen。Atmoments，inthatdizzydepth，agleamoflightappeared，andundulatedvaguely，waterpossessingthepoweroftakinglight，nooneknowswhence，andconvertingitintoasnake。Thelightvanished，andallbecameindistinctoncemore。Immensityseemedthrownopenthere。Whatlaybelowwasnotwater，itwasagulf。
Thewallofthequay，abrupt，confused，mingledwiththevapors，instantlyconcealedfromsight，producedtheeffectofanescarpmentoftheinfinite。Nothingwastobeseen，butthehostilechillofthewaterandthestaleodorofthewetstonescouldbefelt。
Afiercebreathrosefromthisabyss。Thefloodintheriver，divinedratherthanperceived，thetragicwhisperingofthewaves，themelancholyvastnessofthearchesofthebridge，theimaginablefallintothatgloomyvoid，intoallthatshadowwasfullofhorror。
Javertremainedmotionlessforseveralminutes，gazingatthisopeningofshadow；heconsideredtheinvisiblewithafixitythatresembledattention。Thewaterroared。Allatoncehetookoffhishatandplaceditontheedgeofthequay。Amomentlater，atallblackfigure，whichabelatedpasser—byinthedistancemighthavetakenforaphantom，appearederectupontheparapetofthequay，bentovertowardstheSeine，thendrewitselfupagain，andfellstraightdownintotheshadows；adullsplashfollowed；
andtheshadowalonewasinthesecretoftheconvulsionsofthatobscureformwhichhaddisappearedbeneaththewater。